Charles Kenzie Steele

Charles Kenzie Steele
Born	(1928-02-17)February 17, 1928 McDowell County, West Virginia, USA
Died	August 19, 1980(1980-08-19) (aged 52) Atlanta, Georgia, USA
Nationality	American
Occupation	Civil Rights Leader, Minister
Known for	Leadership in the Civil Rights Movement

Charles Kenzie Steele (February 17, 1928 – August 19, 1980) was a prominent American civil rights leader and minister, best known for his role in the Tallahassee bus boycott and his leadership in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC).

Early Life and Education

Charles Kenzie Steele was born in McDowell County, West Virginia, a region known for its coal mining industry. He was raised in a religious family, which influenced his decision to pursue a career in ministry. Steele attended Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia, where he was inspired by the teachings of Martin Luther King Jr. and other prominent civil rights leaders.

Civil Rights Activism

Steele became actively involved in the civil rights movement during the 1950s. He was a key figure in the Tallahassee bus boycott of 1956, which was inspired by the successful Montgomery bus boycott led by Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr. The Tallahassee boycott was a pivotal event in the fight against racial segregation in public transportation.

Tallahassee Bus Boycott

The Tallahassee bus boycott began in May 1956 after two African American students from Florida A&M University were arrested for sitting in the "whites-only" section of a city bus. Steele, who was serving as a pastor in Tallahassee at the time, helped organize the boycott and mobilized the African American community to demand equal rights. The boycott lasted for several months and resulted in the desegregation of the city's buses.

Southern Christian Leadership Conference

In 1957, Steele became one of the founding members of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), an organization established to coordinate and support nonviolent direct action against racial segregation. He worked closely with Martin Luther King Jr. and other civil rights leaders to promote the SCLC's mission across the southern United States.

Later Life and Legacy

After his work with the SCLC, Steele continued to advocate for civil rights and social justice. He remained a prominent figure in the movement until his death in 1980. Steele's contributions to the civil rights movement have been recognized as instrumental in advancing the cause of racial equality in America.

Steele's legacy is remembered through various honors and memorials, including the Charles Kenzie Steele Plaza in Tallahassee, which serves as a reminder of his dedication to civil rights and his impact on the community.

See Also

• Civil Rights Movement
• Martin Luther King Jr.
• Rosa Parks
• Southern Christian Leadership Conference

References

• "Charles Kenzie Steele: A Leader in the Civil Rights Movement." Civil Rights History Project, Library of Congress.
• "Tallahassee Bus Boycott." Florida Memory, State Library and Archives of Florida.